Street Style | Frank Muytjens

While at the opening of the new J.Crew men’s shop on Broadway in NYC, I took the opportunity to do a little “street style” (which I know, the name implies the photos be taken on the street and this is in a store) shoot with Mr. Frank Muytjens, the men’s design lead for J.Crew. You may remember Frank from back in February when he was kind enough to let us check out his workspace. Enjoy!

This is not a new style. There were guys who dressed like this twenty or forty years ago.

We had a name for them:

Doofuses.

Forget the regrettably-common jeans-and-sportcoat look. A sportcoat that’s almost the same color as the pants creates the “almost a suit” or visually impaired look. (Dark glasses and a tin cup with pencils are really needed to pull this off.)

Worse, an unbuttoned tab-collar shirt (a sartorial solecism), high-water pants, and wingtips designed for a suit).

On the plus hand, the ratty tie completes this style, which is “just climbed out of a Goodwill dumpster.”

If any part of the ensemble were made of polyester, it would be a big step up.

jbirdon May 16, 2009@ 12:21 AM:

the loosened tie…where’s the full commitment?…it’s like tucking your shirt in only in the front.

is he leaving the bar after toiling the day away at his desk job or has he just left his apartment after spending time in front of the mirror to get it just so??????(i personally fall into the latter category)

does the shirt fit him or is he so bloated from habitual whiskey w/ high life chasers that his shirt no longer fits him in the neck…

this is one trend i eschew…however, there are plenty that i don’t…like wearing my blue collar workwear to my white collar office…

Jackon May 16, 2009@ 1:02 AM:

This man is modern JCrew to a T. Take that as you will.

slippyon May 16, 2009@ 3:08 AM:

well (nodding to j. bird and gary k),this is the modern look, as purveyed by retailers like j. crew. there’s good and bad. the blazer is terrific and fits well (compare previous ACL street style suspect, Mr. Mort’s navy blazer — big difference). the affected, worn-in thing is annoying, but it’s still current, and looks to be so for some time to come. given his overall intelligent, serious and bespectacled physicality, the “casual” affectations are a good counterbalance.

but, i swear people, STOP ROLLING UP THE CUFF OF YOUR JEANS. it looks absolutely ridiculous.

the.mezon May 16, 2009@ 2:24 PM:

Stop wearing jeans & tailored jackets full stop.

The Descriptioniston May 16, 2009@ 3:05 PM:

As far I can tell the fashionistas approve and the traditionalists don’t.

You know, there’s more to style than wearing the right suit with the Oxford shirt, perfectly dimpled tie, properly shined leather shoes, and matching colors everywhere.

This is the modern J. Crew and kudos to the man for pulling it off with such aplomb.

Vintage Brogueson May 16, 2009@ 3:41 PM:

Vintage Brogues with Jeans and Khaki’s are way cool! Not only is the Head of J. Crew men’s wearing them,but so is the Creative Director of William Rast, Johann Lindberg and many many others.

Gary K. needs to lighten up and get out more (Italy, France, England, Japan etc.) and from the photo I’d say invest in a well made shaver (the Santa Clause look was over on Dec. 26) and hit the gym.

I hardly even notice Frank in the photo…my eye goes right to the finial bustforms in the background and how they just don’t look quite right. Someone over-thought it and should’ve just gone classic.

Ryanon May 17, 2009@ 4:47 AM:

Interesting responses. Some maybe harsh, of course ‘style’ is pretty objective, but I find it a little hard to accept that rolling your denim is absolutely ridiculous. It might not be perfect for you, or me, but it’s a little ways form ridiculous.

I wouldn’t wear that shirt with a tie, or undone with a tie and I wouldn’t wear that blazer with denim.

Otherwise, I personally like the shoes-denim-socks quite a bit.

Alion May 17, 2009@ 6:56 PM:

I like his style. Fashion isn’t about following rules or those “guides” you see in magazines. It’s important to know the codes but it becomes interesting when you break them to make your own personal style. I like the top button left open with a tie, the flashy sock, and his jacket is just amazingly well cut!

Vintage brogueson May 17, 2009@ 7:10 PM:

Yes well cut, but I think a bit too shiny to go with jeans. A little less contrast…

wmmkon May 17, 2009@ 10:46 PM:

I really like the socks. It ought to be obvious, but where do you get socks like that which are solid-colored but have alternating “raised” stripes? All the solid socks I can ever find are just flat and boring.

And while I love the bottom half of this, I think it could’ve looked really great with something like an Engineered Garments khaki Bedford jacket.

RIC OSHEA~on May 18, 2009@ 12:55 AM:

IM OVER 45~ WORKED AT VOGUE~ GREY HAIRED~ AND I THINK HE’S A BLOODY PRAT! BUT, IM IN THE SAME BOAT! …
HE’S JUST LOVELY~ REALLY~ IF HE’S SINGLE SEND EM MY DIRECTION!…… JUST TELL HIM TO LEAVE HIS GLOBETROTTER LUGGAGE AT THE AIRPORT~ THAT IS THE ONE “CAPRICE” THAT JCREW NEEDS SOME ADVICE ON~ BUT THE >MR. FREEDOM< IS RIGHT ON TARGET!!!!! GO CHRISTOPH/MIKEY DREXLER!… BESTS.. RIC O~

Morganon May 18, 2009@ 2:34 PM:

The Polo Darlton blucher is made by Crockett & Jones, and it’s a gorgeous shell cordovan shoe. I would never wear them with a suit, Gary K, unless you’re talking heavy tweed or flannel. They’ve got a certain gunboat heft to them and a rather casual feel – perfect for denim.

Dusty Robon May 19, 2009@ 1:11 AM:

Gary K you forgot to mention those socks !!! How did you overlook that? Go light on the Goodwill I did find my favorite pair of previously loved Alden’s there.